Top Picks of 2025: Our Favorite Finds

You asked and we answered. By popular demand, we rounded up our favorite purchases from 2025—everything we bought with our own money and genuinely loved. These picks span travel, beauty, tools, kitchen upgrades, and organization. Some are splurges, some are tiny improvements that make daily life better, and many are affordable finds that keep showing up in our routines. If you’re hunting for holiday gift ideas (or trying to tell someone what you want), this personal list might help.

We’ve also linked a few of our broader Gift Guides, but this post is more personal—items we actually used this year and would recommend. We organized the selections as fun superlatives (Favorite Splurge, Favorite Sanity Saver, etc.) and only required that the item was a 2025 purchase that stood out when we looked back.

4. Favorite Easy Upgrade

Metallic Switches & Outlets: Swapping white switchplates and outlet covers for metallic, low-profile versions transformed the look of our tiled backsplash. It’s a small, affordable update that instantly looks more cohesive and curated.

5. Favorite Hair Product

Madison Reed Hair Dye & Root Touch-Up: After growing out my gray for a while, I used this dye and found the formula gentler than others I’d tried. It softened my hair’s texture and created a natural color. The touch-up product is handy for quick root fixes between full dyes.

6. Favorite Nail Product

Olive & June Press-On Nails: These low-cost press-ons are stylish, easy to apply in about 10 minutes, and look surprisingly natural. They’re a great, inexpensive alternative to a salon visit and have become a go-to for quick, polished nails.

7. Favorite Makeup

Tubing Mascara: Lightweight, lengthening, and easy to remove—this tubing mascara is a modern update that avoids clumping. It gives great results without the mess of older formulas.

8. Favorite Skin Product

Collagen Powder: After an earlier bad experience with other brands, I tried a different collagen powder and had no reaction. I add a scoop to my coffee each morning; it’s an easy routine addition that I feel good about.

9. Favorite Sanity Saver

Family Wall Calendar: A public paper calendar in the kitchen has improved our family coordination. The kids can see and add events, and it helps everyone stay organized and aware of upcoming activities—a small habit with big payoff.

10. Favorite Necklace

Tennis Necklace: I resisted an expensive designer option and found a mid-priced version that looks high-end. It layers well, holds up to wear, and feels like a true wardrobe staple without the designer price tag.

11. Favorite Fragrance

Gautier Divine: I discovered this scent on a friend and fell in love. It’s unique—neither overly feminine nor masculine—and has become my go-to signature fragrance.

12. Favorite Kitchen Item

Brass Flatware: Replacing wedding flatware with a warm brass set instantly elevated everyday meals. The set we chose looks refined but was surprisingly affordable—one of those upgrades that makes simple tasks feel a little fancier.

13. Favorite Allergy Helper

Quercetin: This supplement dramatically reduced my cat-allergy symptoms. Taking it daily allowed me to enjoy pet snuggles without congestion or itchy eyes—an unexpected but life-changing improvement.

14. Favorite Earrings (Tie)

X Earrings and Chunky Hoops: I rotate between these two pairs most days. The X-shaped studs feel modern and edgy, while the chunky hoops are polished and versatile. Both are comfortable for sensitive ears and instantly pull an outfit together.

15. Favorite Travel Item

Carry-On Suitcase: Upgrading to matching hard-shell carry-ons felt like a grown-up milestone. They’re the right size for many trips, roll smoothly, and the handles work reliably—practical and stylish travel gear.

16. Favorite Re-Buy

Affordable Headphones: We buy inexpensive wireless headphones for our teen so we’re not stressed about loss or damage. They’ve proven durable and functional, and rebuying them is far cheaper than replacing pricier alternatives.

17. Favorite Organizing Item

Cord Clips: An eight-pack of adhesive cord clips is an inexpensive way to tidy nightstands, desks, and charging areas. They keep cables organized and prevent frustrating tangles.

18. Favorite Art & Craft

Frisket Masking Liquid: This masking medium is great for watercolor projects. Paint it on, let it dry, wash over it, and peel to reveal crisp white shapes—a fun, satisfying craft for kids and adults alike.

Now I’ll hand the post over to John for his picks.

1. Favorite New Clothes

Quilted Half-Zip Sweater: I updated a few wardrobe basics and this pullover became an immediate favorite—soft, comfortable, and versatile for casual or slightly dressier occasions.

2. Favorite New Shoes

Slip-On Sneakers: These replaced my old “dad shoes” as my go-to pair. They’re comfortable for walking, easy to slip on, and pair well with many outfits.

3. Favorite Splurge

Insta360 Camera: I bought a 360-degree camera to capture paddleboarding footage and still wish I’d bought it sooner. The “invisible selfie stick” feature produces smooth, immersive video that’s been fun to use outdoors.

4. Favorite Sunglasses

Goodr Sunglasses: Affordable, durable, and available in many colors—perfect for someone who misplaces shades often. I keep pairs in multiple places so I always have them when I need them.

5. Favorite Kitchen Item

Roll-Up Drying Rack: A compact drying rack saved counter space and made evening cleanup easier. It stashes neatly when not in use, which is ideal for smaller kitchens.

6. Favorite Rainy Day Activity

299 Dogs & A Cat Puzzle: An inventive puzzle where each piece is a dog shape—challenging and charming. It got the whole family involved and was more fun than I expected.

7. Favorite Tech Toy

Pairable Bluetooth Speakers: Two identical Bluetooth speakers that pair for stereo or surround sound have been the breakout stars of our outdoor movie nights. They’re portable, pair reliably, and sound great for the price.

8. Favorite Workout Item

Sport Cap: Lightweight, affordable hats replaced my worn-out workout caps. They’re comfortable and have become daily staples for runs and outdoor activities.

9. Favorite Travel Item

Cord Organizer: A zippered pouch for chargers and cables keeps our luggage organized and prevents the chaos of loose cords—especially useful for family travel.

10. Favorite Grooming Item

Beard Trimmer: My old trimmer finally died, so I replaced it with a compact, cordless model that’s simple to use and maintains a neat trim without fuss.

11. Favorite Tool

Small Laser Level: After loaning my old level away, I bought a newer compact laser level that stays together and is pleasant to use—a small tool that helps big projects go smoothly.

12. Favorite Family Game

Qwirkle: This colorful tile game blends strategy and visual play and has become a family favorite. It’s simple to learn but rewarding to master.

13. Favorite Lifesaver

Wireless Charger: As our devices moved to USB-C, reliable wireless chargers saved the day on trips and busy mornings. They’re compact, charge quickly, and are handy when you need to use a phone while it charges.

14. Favorite Chore Helper

Plant Food: Adding a simple plant food powder to our watering routine revived our houseplants. The difference is noticeable—greener leaves and healthier growth make plant care feel rewarding.

15. Favorite Book

Sunrise on the Reaping (Prequel): I enjoyed this prequel installment in The Hunger Games universe. It fills in backstory and connects to the original series in ways that were entertaining and engaging for me.

16. Favorite Beverage

LMNT Electrolyte Packets: These flavored electrolyte mixes give me a low-sugar, refreshing boost after workouts. Citrus flavors are my go-to and they’re great for hydration without added sugar.

17. Favorite Re-Buy

Compact Sound Machine: Our old sound machines lasted nearly a decade; when one wore out we got the updated model. Same compact size but with more sounds and Bluetooth connectivity—an easy replacement that works really well.

18. Favorite Didn’t Need To Re-Buy

Leather Key Ring: Bought in 2018, this simple leather key ring still works perfectly. It’s a reminder that well-made, affordable items can last for years and remain useful.